Eurometaux (European Association of Metals)
Uses
A sustainable future is all around you
METALS ARE USED EVERYWHERE
From the pen you write with to the transport you take, metals are used so ubiquitously they need to be used sustainably - and therefore they play a major role in Europe's sustainable development.
Increased efficiency & reduced emissions
- The average car contains 140kg of lightweight aluminium in body panels, engine blocks, roofs and wheels. This saves 65 litres of fuel per year.
- A combination of platinum, palladium or rhodium is used in a car's catalytic converter, reducing harmful exhaust emissions by up to 90%.
- Protective zinc and nickel coatings extend car lifetime, allowing manufacturers to offer 10-year corrosion warranties.
- Through advanced lead-based batteries, start-stop and micro-hybrid systems reduce fuel consumption by 10%.
A NEW CAR TODAY IS 22% MORE EFFICIENT THAN IN 2007 AND METALS HELP ACHIEVE THIS
The automotive industry continues to lower its CO2 emissions, producing more energy efficient and resource efficient Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
Powertrains of the future
We see more hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles on EU roads, paving the way to common goals for a decarbonised transport system. Advanced powertrains contain even more metals.
- Hybrid and electric vehicles are powered by nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries (with lead batteries providing auxiliary power). These contain a variety of metals, including aluminium, cobalt, manganese and nickel.
- While a conventional car contains 15kg of copper, over 60kg is needed in electrified vehicles, due to increased electrical and wiring requirements.
- Rare earth metals including dysprosium, neodymium and terbium are used essentially in permanent magnets in electrical motors.
- Fuel cell vehicles depend on platinum, which is used as a catalyst to generate electricity from hydrogen.
Renewable energy sources
The transformation of our energy system is not possible without innovative metal materials. Metals are major contributors in storing, transporting and generating renewable energy.
When the wind blows
90% OF A WIND TURBINE'S WEIGHT IS COMPRISED BY METALS COMPONENTS. EACH TURBINE CONTAINS OVER 14 NON-FERROUS METALS, INCLUDING
- 200 km or 30 tonnes of copper. Within one year, 1 tonne of copper saves 150x the CO2 needed to produce it.
- Up to half a tonne of nickel is used so iron castings can withstand low temperatures.
- Molybdenum and zinc enhance the longevity and performance of high-tech steel. Thermally-sprayed zinc provides over 20 years of corrosion protection.
When the sun shines
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC AND THERMAL SYSTEMS
These systems generate electricity or heat from the sun's energy, through a combination of up to 22 non-ferrous metals including:
- COPPER - per megawatt in photovoltaic systems is 4-5 tonnes - four times more than conventional power.
- SILICON CRYSTALS - in traditional solar cells make up 91% of the overall photovoltaics market.
- ALLOYS - containing several metals optimise efficiency in thin-film solar cells and include beryllium, gallium, germanium, indium and molybdenum.
But today it's cloudy and still...
Because the sun only shines part of the day, and the wind doesn't blow all the time, renewable energy needs to be stored in periods of low demand and released in periods of high demand.
Battery energy storage supports the integration of renewables and stabilization of the electricity grid, based on lead, lithium, nickel or sodium technologies.
Taking a break
Put your feet up and have some food or drink - from your resource-efficient metals packaging. Aluminium is used in a wide range of packaging applications, including beverage cans, foil trays, food containers or coffee capsules.
Other metals are used as alloying or plating materials, including tin, magnesium and zinc.
ABOUT 60% OF ALL ALUMINIUM PACKAGING IS RECYCLED IN EUROPE. Take your aluminium beverage can as an example:
We like to talk
Recent innovations using metals have significantly improved the energy and resource efficiency of modern communications and IT devices. The ICT industry now accounts for a third of global demand for copper, silver and tin.
The use of technology metals has also increased in the ICT sector, including 40% global production of antimony, indium, ruthenium and rare earth elements. Metals are also essential in IT and telecommunications infrastructure:
Demand for metals in the ICT sector will continue to increase, requiring continued efforts to maximise resource efficiency and circular management.
Cutting edge healthcare
Creating sustainable societies involves more than just the external environment, we also need to look after our internal environment - our own bodies. The sustainable use of metals is crucial in improving human health and quality of life.
Many metals are trace elements such as copper, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, which are essential for the human body to function healthily and effectively.
In addition, metals are used increasingly widely in modern medicine, treatments and patient-care technologies.
Platinum is a key ingredient in chemotherapy. It's also used in artificial pacemakers to assist the heart in stabilizing the heartbeat.
Stainless steel alloying with several metals (nickel, chromium etc.) is used in medical equipment and hospital surfaces for durability and efficient sterilization.
As a barrier to radiation, lead is unrivalled and essential in hospital x-rays, dentists' surgeries, and laboratories.
Copper-alloy touch surfaces help to reduce healthcare-associated infections due to their intrinsic antimicrobial properties.
Titanium and aluminium are used for light-weight prosthetic limbs, restoring many of the capabilities that would have been lost from amputation.
Zinc oxide is a key ingredient in sun screens protecting the skin effectively from UV radiation.
Source: https://eurometaux.eu/about-our-industry/the-metals-story/uses/
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